Funding the Legal Practice Course

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Funding the Legal Practice Course

The LPC must be completed by everyone that wants to qualify as a solicitor and there are over 30 providers in England and Wales. Fees vary from £5,200 to over £11,550 and do not include accommodation or other living expenses.

Before applying for the LPC you should give careful consideration to the various funding options which are available, including: sponsorship, parents, loans and grants.

Sponsorship

Many larger firms sponsor students to take the LPC and some will also make a contribution to accommodation or other living expenses. For example, Jones Day provide a maintenance grant of £8,000 whilst you take the LPC.

Competition for sponsorship is intense, as there are always more students seeking training contracts with larger firms than places available. Remember to submit your application in accordance with the firm's instructions and meet their deadline. Firms often recruit two years in advance, and if you leave it too late, you may find difficulty in obtaining sponsorship.

A list of firms offering sponsorship is available in the Training Contract Handbook. This is free from your university's Career Service or can be purchased at http://www.tcph.co.uk

Parents

Not everyone has parents who are financially able or willing to pay their child's LPC fees. If your parents are willing don't let pride get in your way but think carefully whether you have a realistic opportunity of obtaining a training contract. LPC providers are not always so picky about who they accept on their courses, and there are many LPC students whose parents are funding their fees but have little chance of obtaining a training contract.

Loans

A growing proportion of students taking the LPC are obtaining career development loans. These are commercial loans from high street banks which can be used to pay for LPC fees or associated costs.
It is worthwhile speaking to an independent financial advisor (and not just one of the bank's advisors) before entering into a loan. You'll be paying the loan back over a significant period of time and you don't want to be struggling with debt when you're about to start your training contract.
Further information on career development loans is available from the Department for Education and Skills at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk

Grants, Bursaries and Scholarships

A number of organisations provide grants, bursaries and scholarships which cover the LPC's fees. Here's a list of some of those organisations and how to apply:

College Access Funds

Various LPC providers offer their own bursaries and scholarships. Check the website of your preferred LPC provider to find out what funds are available and the application criteria.

Henry Malcolm Hubbard Scholarship

In his will, Henry Malcolm Hubbard established a trust, part of which provides scholarships for trainee solicitors and recently admitted solicitors. You can apply for a scholarship if you intend to study in France, Spain or Canada, and intend to study the law and legal procedures of the country in question. Further information is available at:

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/becomingas ... ardlaw.law

Law Society Bursary Scheme

The Law Society's Bursary Scheme is funded by several trusts and scholarships that were established to encourage the development of new solicitors. Further information is available at:

http://juniorlawyers.lawsociety.org.uk/node/140

Law Society Diversity Access Scheme

The Law Society operates a Diversity Access Scheme. The Scheme provides support to talented people who must overcome particular obstacles to qualify as a solicitor. Further information is available at:

http://juniorlawyers.lawsociety.org.uk/node/140

Legal Services Commission Training Support Grants

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is the government body which oversees legal aid in England and Wales. The LSC provides training support grants which fund the training of new legal aid solicitors. The grants cover the tuition fees of students studying the LPC and 75% of the Law Society's minimum salary. Grants are awarded to organisations recruiting for trainees and not directly to students. The grants are worth about £20,000 over two years. Further information is available at:

http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/

Local Authority Grants

Some Local Authorities provide discretionary funds which can be used to pay for the LPC. Visit the website of the Department for Education and Skills for guidance on what funds are available and how to apply: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/f ... ndex.shtml.